Ash-glazed tea bowl c. 1990s

This ash-glazed tea bowl, created by renowned Japanese potter Niwa Ryōchi in the 1990s, exemplifies the beauty of wabi-sabi, a Japanese aesthetic valuing imperfection and the passage of time. The bowl's subtle green glaze, flecked with white ash, evokes the natural world, reflecting the artist's connection to nature and traditional ceramic techniques. This tea bowl, now part of the Minneapolis Institute of Art collection, is a testament to Ryōchi's mastery of form and glaze, inviting viewers to appreciate the quiet elegance of everyday objects.